Hare, Hare – Hare Today

We often associate rabbit with spring and Easter. What about the rest of the year? Get a fuller picture of rabbits in doing these activities. Now hop on it!

CONNECT:

• Rabbits originated in southwest Europe and northwest Africa
• What’s the origin of the Easter bunny? Watch this video to see the answer: http://time.com/3767518/easter-bunny-origins-history/
• Rabbits are an important part of the ecosystem. Learn about their habits from the BBC’s videos: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/European_Rabbit
• Experience the world of Beatrix Potter: the creator of Peter Rabbit at https://www.peterrabbit.com/
• The idea of a rabbit’s foot being lucky is worldwide – and has a long history. Not so lucky for the rabbit.  Get the inside story at http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/12/rabbits-foot-considered-lucky/

CREATE:

• Create a trivia fact game based on these fun facts about rabbits: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/rabbit.html
• Here's a family-friendly version of Welsh Rarebit (or Rabbit) to cook with or for the kids! The name supposedly comes from the fact that if poachers failed to catch a rabbit, all that there was for tea was bread and cheese! https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/welsh-rarebit
• Try making some of these cute bunny crafts: https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/bunny-crafts-and-how-to-make-them
• Hop like a bunny – and do other preschool rabbit-themed activities at https://www.educatall.com/page/459/Rabbits.html

CARE:

• Learn how to take care of a pet rabbit at: https://rabbit.org/faq-children-and-rabbits/
• Your bunny likes to play games too; try some at http://myhouserabbit.com/rabbit-behavior/playing-with-your-pet-bunny/
•  Bunnies can be cute, but they can also be harmful (not on purpose, of course). Here are some tips about child safety and health around pet rabbits: https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/child/childsafety/rabbits.html
• You may have heard about rabbits having lots of babies. But 30% of rabbit species are endangered. Learn about two of those endangered species at https://www.konicaminolta.com/kids/endangered_animals/library/field/amami-rabbit.html and https://www.konicaminolta.com/kids/endangered_animals/library/field/volcano-rabbit.html

CAREERS:

The most obvious bunny-loving career is being a veterinarian.  But you could also be an artist (including making bunny faces), chef (bunny-shaped cakes), or even a party entertainer in a bunny costume. Hop to it!

• https://www.mspca.org/pet_resources/rabbit-health-and-veterinary-care/
• Here’s a fun challenge: finding bunny-related jobs such as rabbit rescuing: http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/rabbit-rescue/

Happy Trails to You!

Trails mark the landscape of civilizations – as well as animals. Track some famous trails, and learn how to make your own.

CONNECT:

• ·         This site allows you to view the Inca Trail, and track it with its interactive map: http://raingod.com/angus/Gallery/Photos/SouthAmerica/Peru/IncaTrail.html
• ·         Site maps, riders, history of the trail, museums, stations, statues, facts and a quiz about the Pony Express are found at http://www.xphomestation.com/
• ·         The National Park Service provides a map of the Lewis and Clark trail, a brief history of the expedition, and a look at the trail today: https://www.nps.gov/lecl/index.htm
• ·         Take a journey along Wisconsin’s glacial landscapes of its Ice Age Trail: http://www.iceagetrail.org/#sthash.ixt0AWRY.dpuf
• ·         How do we know the exact trails that explorers made? This website, http://www.floridahistory.com/inset44.html, points out the many sources of information – and assumptions – that lead or mislead historians to figure out how to track past trails.

CREATE:

• ·         The Iditarod Trail, now a National Historic Trail, had its beginnings as a mail and supply route from the coastal towns of Seward and Knik to the interior mining camps. Try out one of these activities about the Iditarod Trail, which is now a dogsledding race: http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/Iditarod-Resources-for-Grades-K-5.html.
• ·         Follow the Oregon Trail at http://oregontrail101.com/. Did you know that a glass of water could cost $100 on the Oregon Trail? You can make a Trivia game based on fascinating facts about the trail.
• ·         Take a cyber trail of the Santa Fe Trail as it winds through the current West: http://www.kansasheritage.org/research/sft/sft-cities.html
• ·         This class mapped animal trails in their back yard: http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/trail/trail.htm. Try making your own animal backyard trail map.
• ·         Follow the legendary Paul Bunyan Trail at http://www.paulbunyantrail.com/talltale.html
• ·         Welcome to the Tolkien Trail, traveller! You are about to embark upon a journey that takes you across Middle Earth, as described in J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings. Your guide on this tour is the famed wizard Gandalf. Along the way, you will encounter games, fan fiction, music, and original artwork at http://tolkientrail.com/

CARE:

·         Learn how to read and comply with trail signs: http://howtowilderness.com/trail-signs/

• ·        Enjoy hiking trails, and help maintain them: http://mylandplan.org/content/hiking-0
• ·         Follow these steps to make your own trails: https://www.trails.com/how_2436_build-trails.html
• ·         Ever dreamed of snowmobiling? There are safety tips as you follow – or make – your own snow trail: http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html
• ·         Help preserve California and Oregon trails: http://www.octa-trails.org/preserve

CAREERS:

Make your own career trail, or follow the career paths of others who like trails: historians, cartographers, naturalists, rangers, recreation specialists.

·         http://dnr.wi.gov/eek/job/naturalist.htm

·         http://www.environmentalscience.org/career/forest-ranger

·         http://www.americantrails.org/nttp/default.htm

·         http://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2013/03/new-cartographers

·         https://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professional-development/career-resources/careers-for-history-majors

Take Flight with Angels

Angels aren’t just tree toppings. They have existed in the minds of people around the world. And many other things are named “angel.” Let your imagination take flight with these angel-related activities.

CONNECT:

• Angels are mentioned in several cultures and religions, as outlined at http://english-magazine.org/english-reading/english-for-culture/1166-culture-article340
• Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world; find the facts at http://primaryfacts.com/1322/angel-falls-facts-about-the-highest-waterfall-in-the-world/
• Explore the history of Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, from the Miworks to the Spaniards to immigrants and tourists: http://angelisland.org/history/
• Read Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Angel” as an expression of kindness this season: http://hca.gilead.org.il/angel.html
• Can you play baseball like an Angel? Follow the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=ana

CREATE:

• Angel hair can refer to a type of thin noodle. See the various shapes of pasta, and how their shapes are used for different kinds of dishes: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/food/pasta.asp
• Make fun angel cookies, with pretzel wings and almond hands: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/almond-angel-cookies/009d2865-e138-40e3-aefa-558ca2dc7d4f
• Here’s lots of angel crafts to make around the year: http://www.freekidscrafts.com/holidays/christmas-crafts/angel-crafts/
• Here are some angel costumes and wings to make: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/howtomakeangelcostumeshalloweencraftskids.html

CARE:

• Dogs can be angels; canine angels help children with special needs be more independent. Learn about this service at http://www.canine-angels.org/
• The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps. Watch a 360-degree video demonstration at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6SsB3JYqQg
• Los Angeles is called The City of Angels. That city owns a zoo and botanical gardens. Read about their conservation efforts at http://www.lazoo.org/conservation/. You can support those efforts too.
• Project Angle Food cooks thousands of meals every week to people who are too sick to shop and cook for themselves (http://www.angelfood.org). Perhaps there is a similar service in your area where you can help.
• You can have your own angel: an angelfish. Reel in facts about caring for them at http://small-pets.lovetoknow.com/fish/10-facts-about-angelfish.
• Can coins save a life? Read about the myth of the French Angel coin at http://www.gainesvillecoins.com/tips/25/the-extraordinary-legend-of-the-french-angel-coin.aspx

CAREERS:

You can be a guardian angel for someone by helping to care for them. Healthcare positions offer many opportunities: http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/jobs/health-care-careers.html

Religion can lead to many careers: http://www.studyreligion.org/where/skills.html

Going Around in Circles

It’s the holiday time, and circles feature largely: wreaths, circular cookies  and pastries, haloes, and even the end of the year circles back to January. Let’s circle around circles….

CONNECT:

• Even in pre-history people considered circles to have magic mystical powers.  Visit these ancient stone circles virtually at http://www.megalithic.co.uk/.
• A few years ago, crop circles were very popular. Some people thought they were created by aliens. We know now that humans created them, but they are still awesome! http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/photos/gallery/crop-circles/
• When we think of circles, the image of pies may come to mind. But what about the concept of pi? That is also related to circles. Figure out how at http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/index.html
• Amaze your family and friends about circle facts: http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/facts/geometry/circles.html

CREATE:

• Sing the circle song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlXnXf6FSq8. Try making up your own song about circles.
• A round is a song that goes around and around.  Learning about singing rounds with children at http://spinninginmyteacup.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/singing-rounds-with-children/
• Hear lots of songs that you can dance to in a circle: http://www.juliewyliemusic.com/pages/dancing.html
• Have you heard of a literature circle? It’s a fun way to share reading. Learn how to start at literature circle at http://www.lauracandler.com/strategies/litcirclemodels.php. Try an online literature circle using a wiki (such as http://www.pbworks.com).

CARE:

• We’re all connected in the circle of life. Join in that circle at http://www.morning-earth.org/TreesCirclesLife.html.  You can find out more about the circle of life at http://www.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/living/living.html
• Celebrate the holidays AND Mother Earth by making wreaths from recycled materials: http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/diy-holiday-wreaths/
• Make some circular cookies as gifts. Here are some kids’ cookie recipes as starters: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/event-or-occasion/kids-recipes/kids-cookie-recipes?term=Kids+Cookie&nv=4294965409&ps=12&pi=1
• Circle of Care is an organization that helps families of children with cancer. Here are some activities that help children understand this disease; there are also activities that these children can play – and your family might play along with them: http://www.thecircleofcare.org/our-programs/kid-stuff-2

CAREERS:

Do you feel like you’re going around in circles thinking about careers? Here’s a circle of ideas:

http://www.iseek.org/careers/aboutclusters.html